I wanted to continue Melissa’s point about the popularity of the “revenge narrative” in music videos, yet a complete avoidance of domestic violence issues. It made me think of Blu Cantrell’s video “Hit ‘Em Up Style.” It is exactly how Melissa explained it: Blu’s man cheated, so therefore it’s OK to get back at him by destroying his property. Not only does she damage all of his possessions and spend his money, she encourages other women to do it too! It becomes a catchy girl power anthem.

Unfortunately, I also couldn’t find any other videos with women addressing the issue of domestic violence first-hand. However, it seems that we hear about women’s struggle from an unlikely source (more…)

With the exception of a few films, the movies we’ve seen exacting the “female revenge narrative” have all been dominated by white women. Though the lack of women of color in this genera of films may speak to a larger societal context, I want to look at the influence of the feminist movement on minority communities as expressed through film. Last semester, I worked on a research project delving into the world of the Chicana Movement, which came about at the tail end of the mass Chicano Movement. I was shocked by what many of the women and scholars of the movement had to say with regards to the larger feminist movement that was beginning to rise in the late 1960’s. I was stunned by the overwhelming reaction against the feminist movement. Largely seen as a white woman’s battle, Chicanas in the mid 20th century viewed themselves in direct opposition to the larger women’s rights campaign. Unlike their white counterparts, the Chicanas were faced with larger societal inequalities because of their race. Though I have not studied the gender dynamics in the Black community, I can not imagine it being very different than those within the Chicano community. Women of color faced, and to some extent still do, a double oppression and as such can not be so fast to damn society because of their sex. The question that comes to mind with observation, is whether being a woman or being Chicana is most important. (more…)

Did anyone else think that Violet was going to use Corky? Even before Corky spelled out the possibility for her, I was convinced she was going to set her up. Violet was too smooth. Everything about her from her hair to her voice seemed calculated. She even got Corky to come over indirectly by calling the guy who hired her.

Though Corky comes up with the master plan to steal the money, Violet knows how to play it cool, too. She’s a brilliant actress when she comes (more…)

1. The response to Mick’s infidelity. I assumed that when Tess stormed off their relationship was over. When she sees him again at the party, I applauded her for managing to be so civil, then groaned when they started dancing and it seemed like she was having trouble moving on. I felt sorry for her. Then, when he had the nerve to ask her to MARRY HIM after what he did and all she did was say MAYBE?! I was appalled. And then his reaction… how did he think he had the right to be so furious? And HE was the one who walked away. At least if it had been her, it might have been a symbol of SOME kind of agency, but no, she gets dumped after he cheats on her. That pissed me off. Where is the female empowerment? I wanted Tess to (more…)